Musical Chairs
Jen Knox
Indie Memoir/YA
[rating: 5/5]
Available in…
• Mobi/Kindle
… from…
• Amazon
• MobiPocket
Also in paperback
Some time ago, Jen Knox and I swapped memoirs. She sent me a copy of Musical Chairs, which explores her family’s history of mental health diagnoses, her years of strip-dancing, alcoholism, and estrangement, and her struggle for reconciliation. (That’s from the cover.)
I also sent her a copy of Love through the Eyes of an Idiot. In full disclosure, just as I had started reading her book, Jen sent me an email about mine:
I finally posted my review of your delightful book. Oh how it made me remember how lucky I am to have found Chris after all the relationships (if you can call them that) that came before him. He thanks you. I thank you, for writing a great read.
Truthfully, I’m gratified that Jen enjoyed my book. And I did really want to like hers as well— I always want to like a book from a fellow author, and it upsets me when I don’t. But I will tell you exactly what problems I had with Musical Chairs:
-
I ran across numerous line-editing issues, including misspelled words, bad punctuation (like ending a sentence with a comma, in at least two places), and sentences that made no sense in context. The best typo I found on page 152, where Jen wrote about working at the bookstore: “As I cleared dust from a self in the psychology section…” So, was that an ego or an id? (Ba dum bum.)
-
Some details were missing from spots in the story where I would naturally expect them, popping up as surprises elsewhere. For example, all the time Jen was staying with Miss Sarah and her daughter (in the chapter entitled “Miss Sarah”), I thought Sarah was a white, single mother. It was only much later in the book that I was told that Sarah (or at least her daughter) had darker skin, that she was married to a Latino who had treated Jen rudely, and that she had some pretty bizarre racial ideas.
-
Jen begins with a panic attack, and she concludes as the panic attacks disappear… I think. I have nothing against waxing eloquent, as she did in the epilogue; I’m just not sure how she concluded the story. (But otherwise the epilogue did leave me feeling uplifted and satisfied.)
All of my complaints were counterbalanced, however, by the fact that I literally couldn’t put the damn book down! That’s why I’ve been absent this week. I blew through the entire thing in a little over a day, immersing myself in her story every moment I could. Really, no joke, no exaggeration: I read until I got tired; then I napped, woke up, and continued where I left off; lather, rinse, repeat.
Truthfully, before I started the book, I half expected a melodramatic pity party for a life beset by personal tragedy and self-destruction. On the contrary, Jen drew me into her story, the story of a girl I could hardly believe existed.
At one point, I reclined in a hot bath with Jen’s book in one hand and a cup of Earl Grey in the other. I looked at the cup, a commemorative mug, dated November 20, 1994, for the centennial anniversary of the facility at which my Beloved interned. I suddenly realized that at that very time, Jen had run away from home, 15 years old, and was living with her 19-year-old boyfriend. My Beloved was about to launch her career, and during the same autumn, Jen was about to launch herself into boyfriends and sex and statutory rape and the real thing, erotic dances for money, fights and alcohol and the battle for control and delusions and psychosis and abandonment— But through it all, Jen seemed so… normal to me. I genuinely sympathized with her, felt for her in her quest, desired to reach out to her and provide what I saw she was missing in her life. And I smiled when she finally began to find it.
This is the reason I read independent memoirs, to meet people I might never otherwise know, through them to live experiences I could never otherwise fathom, and to win victories I would never otherwise have even pursued. And Musical Chairs generously filled that need.
-TimK
|
Musical Chairs |
Available in… |
Greetings, Just now came across the best source from India to save on Rx. If you want to buy ED meds safely, IndiaPharm is the best place. They offer fast shipping to USA. Check it out: https://indiapharm.in.net/#. Best regards.
Hi all, I just stumbled upon a great source from India for affordable pills. If you want to buy medicines from India at factory prices, IndiaPharm is very reliable. It has wholesale rates worldwide. More info here: https://indiapharm.in.net/#. Hope it helps.
В этом интересном тексте собраны обширные сведения, которые помогут вам понять различные аспекты обсуждаемой темы. Мы разбираем детали и факты, делая акцент на важности каждого элемента. Не упустите возможность расширить свои знания и взглянуть на мир по-новому!
Смотрите также… – https://socialwavepro.be/2023/04/09/unlock-the-power-of-digital-marketing-our-services
A fascinating discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt
that that you need to publish more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but generally folks don’t discuss
these topics. To the next! Cheers!!
Hi all, Just now came across a useful website for affordable pills. If you need cheap antibiotics safely, IndiaPharm is worth checking. It has wholesale rates worldwide. Check it out: safe indian pharmacy. Best regards.
日本 av – https://kanav.so
В этом информативном тексте представлены захватывающие события и факты, которые заставят вас задуматься. Мы обращаем внимание на важные моменты, которые часто остаются незамеченными, и предлагаем новые перспективы на привычные вещи. Подготовьтесь к тому, чтобы быть поглощенным увлекательными рассказами!
Погрузиться в научную дискуссию – https://fundacionholguincuellar.com/situacion-financiera-2022
Эта обзорная заметка содержит ключевые моменты и факты по актуальным вопросам. Она поможет читателям быстро ориентироваться в теме и узнать о самых важных аспектах сегодня. Получите краткий курс по современной информации и оставайтесь в курсе событий!
А что дальше? – https://olamuchachas.com/blog/blog-parentalite/preparer-sa-valise-maternite
Эта статья предлагает захватывающий и полезный контент, который привлечет внимание широкого круга читателей. Мы постараемся представить тебе идеи, которые вдохновят вас на изменения в жизни и предоставят практические решения для повседневных вопросов. Читайте и вдохновляйтесь!
Открыть полностью – https://www.groupe-allosun.com/portfolios/22-batiment-agricole-99kva
Эта познавательная публикация погружает вас в море интересного контента, который быстро захватит ваше внимание. Мы рассмотрим важные аспекты темы и предоставим вам уникальные Insights и полезные сведения для дальнейшего изучения.
Запросить дополнительные данные – https://ijpfiasi.ro/inkasso-forderungen-verzogern-kooperation-age-of-the-gods-furious-4-1-kaution-ferner-infos
Эта статья полна интересного контента, который побудит вас исследовать новые горизонты. Мы собрали полезные факты и удивительные истории, которые обогащают ваше понимание темы. Читайте, погружайтесь в детали и наслаждайтесь процессом изучения!
Обратитесь за информацией – https://www.familyandpeople.mn/%D1%85%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%83%D1%83%D0%B4%D1%8B%D0%BD-%D0%B0%D0%BC%D1%8C%D0%B4%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B4-%D0%B6%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B0%D0%BB-%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%B0%D1%85%D0%B3%D2%AF%D0%B9%D0%BD-%D0%B7%D0%BE
В этой публикации мы предлагаем подробные объяснения по актуальным вопросам, чтобы помочь читателям глубже понять их. Четкость и структурированность материала сделают его удобным для усвоения и применения в повседневной жизни.
А что дальше? – https://sweetmacshop.com/2021/08/31/copycat-crumbl-waffle-cookie-macaron
To be honest, I recently stumbled upon an amazing source from India to buy generics. If you need ED meds without prescription, this store is very reliable. You get wholesale rates to USA. More info here: https://indiapharm.in.net/#. Hope it helps.
В этой публикации мы предлагаем подробные объяснения по актуальным вопросам, чтобы помочь читателям глубже понять их. Четкость и структурированность материала сделают его удобным для усвоения и применения в повседневной жизни.
Запросить дополнительные данные – https://themuralofmurals.com/12404937_156054761425268_343335852_o-2
Эта информационная заметка предлагает лаконичное и четкое освещение актуальных вопросов. Здесь вы найдете ключевые факты и основную информацию по теме, которые помогут вам сформировать собственное мнение и повысить уровень осведомленности.
Практические советы ждут тебя – https://foodiecreator.com/tasty-queso-keto-taco-soup
Эта информационная статья содержит полезные факты, советы и рекомендации, которые помогут вам быть в курсе последних тенденций и изменений в выбранной области. Материал составлен так, чтобы быть полезным и понятным каждому.
Нажмите, чтобы узнать больше – https://www.fbb-blues.com/2017/10/27/hello-world
streamserve.click – Found practical insights today; sharing this article with colleagues later.
Этот обзор предлагает структурированное изложение информации по актуальным вопросам. Материал подан так, чтобы даже новичок мог быстро освоиться в теме и начать использовать полученные знания в практике.
Желаете узнать подробности? – https://transportsbarrault36.com/bonjour-tout-le-monde
Мы собрали для вас самые захватывающие факты из мира науки и истории. От малознакомых деталей до грандиозных событий — эта статья расширит ваш кругозор и подарит новое понимание того, как устроен наш мир.
Нажмите, чтобы узнать больше – https://ijpfiasi.ro/what-does-seo-stand-for-7-beginner-s-tips-for-32-2
connectcraft.click – Loved the layout today; clean, simple, and genuinely user-friendly overall.
**nitric boost**
nitric is a daily wellness formula designed to enhance vitality and help support all-around performance.
netguide.click – Navigation felt smooth, found everything quickly without any confusing steps.
Hi guys, Just now came across a great Mexican pharmacy for cheap meds. If you want to save money and need affordable prescriptions, this site is a game changer. They ship to USA plus very reliable. Visit here: https://pharm.mex.com/#. All the best.
onlineport.click – Content reads clearly, helpful examples made concepts easy to grasp.
streamserve.click – Bookmarked this immediately, planning to revisit for updates and inspiration.
streamserve.click – Color palette felt calming, nothing distracting, just focused, thoughtful design.
Great post.
Greetings, Lately came across an amazing online drugstore to save on Rx. If you want to buy generic pills safely, this site is highly recommended. You get fast shipping worldwide. Check it out: indiapharm.in.net. Cheers.
connectcraft.click – Mobile version looks perfect; no glitches, fast scrolling, crisp text.
connectcraft.click – Navigation felt smooth, found everything quickly without any confusing steps.
**purdentix**
purdentix is a dietary supplement formulated to support oral health by blending probiotics and natural ingredients.
servespark.click – Overall, professional vibe here; trustworthy, polished, and pleasantly minimal throughout.
netguide.click – Appreciate the typography choices; comfortable spacing improved my reading experience.
To be honest, I just discovered a great website for affordable pills. For those looking for generic pills safely, this site is very reliable. They offer wholesale rates guaranteed. Take a look: https://indiapharm.in.net/#. Hope it helps.
netguide.click – Appreciate the typography choices; comfortable spacing improved my reading experience.